WHO announced to control H5N1 in Burma

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

December 17, 2007 - Despite detecting a case of human infection of the deadly avian flu, the World Health Organization said it had contained the H5N1 flu, which has reportedly been spreading in eastern Burma's Shan state since last month.

WHO spokesperson in Rangoon told Mizzima that with culling of birds and chickens and by providing effective awareness training, the spread of the deadly virus has been contained.

"We have been doing all we can, so basically, the situation is under control. And the patient who was confirmed to be affected by the H5N1 disease has recovered and has been discharged from the hospital," the spokesperson said.

WHO said it has collaborated with other organizations including UNICEF and has begun to check on poultry and animal farms. And also conducted awareness training on how to prevent and cure the flu.

"We control the movement of animals and prevent the sick birds from reaching to other areas and on the human side basically we cooperate with UNICEF and other agencies for doing public awareness training and communicate with the people of affected areas. And we are still investigating," added the spokesperson.

The WHO Myanmar praised the Burmese government for cooperating in the culling of birds and containing the disease saying "they [government] have done an excellent job," on the bird flu virus protection mission.

On Saturday, WHO as well as the Burmese government through its state-run media confirmed of a human infection of the deadly bird flu.

Nam Khan Than, a seven year-old girl in Kyaing Tong township in eastern Shan State , was taken to hospital on November 27 after detecting avian flu and developing symptoms of fever.

However, the girl survived as she was quarantined at the hospital and was given timiflu pills. She was discharge from the hospital on December 12.

Contradictory statements

Contradicting the WHO's statement that the disease has been contained, local sources in Shan state said bird flu has been detected in eastern Shan state since last month, and with the authorities concealing the cases, there are possibility of other human infections.

A local resident in Kyaing Tong, who requested not to be named, said there could be other human infection as the disease has been spreading since last month after more than 600 ducks from China was brought in by a local merchant.

"We are worried that there are many people suffering from fever. We cannot be sure that the flu has not infected others," added the local.

With local authorities concealing the case, measures to contain the flu started late after the first case of the death of birds in the region, the local said.

Possible Confusion

However, a Thailand based ethnic Shan reporter, said the locals might be confused between malaria fever and bird flu fever.

Sai Moeng, who followed the bird flu outbreak in Shan State, said while there are reports of local residents suffering fever, the causes could also be Malaria, which is common in the region.

"People suffer from malaria in this season, so it can be that local residents are confusing it with bird flu," Sia Meong said.

However, Sai Meong does not rule out the possibility of more people infected with the flu.